El Salvador Human Rights Says At Least 261 Inmates Died Under Nayib Bukele's Anti-Gang Crackdown

A report from the human rights organization Cristosal has revealed alarming figures regarding the treatment of prisoners under El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's administration, citing at least 261 deaths in Salvadoran prisons amid a crackdown on street gangs that have been ongoing for over 2 1/2 years.

Under a state of emergency initiated in 2022 and still active, Bukele's government has conducted widespread sweeps resulting in the detention of 81,110 suspected gang members, ABC News reports.

These actions, criticized by rights groups as often arbitrary and based on superficial criteria like appearance or residence, have led to the release of approximately 7,000 individuals due to insufficient evidence.

According to Cristosal's latest report, as of April 15, 88 of the reported deaths in El Salvador prisons "may have been the result of a criminal act," though specifics were not provided.

The report outlines that 87 deaths were due to illnesses, 14 were classified as "acts of violence," and the causes for the remaining 72 deaths remain undetermined.

Humanitarian Concerns and Legal Criticism

Lawyer Zaira Navas, author of the report, condemned the conditions in El Salvador prisons, attributing the deaths to factors such as torture, inadequate food, unsanitary living conditions, and neglectful medical attention.

She pointed to what she described as a deliberate policy neglecting the rights of incarcerated individuals, according to AP News.

Despite these allegations, the El Salvador government has not yet responded to the report.

While facing accusations of human rights abuses, Nayib Bukele maintains a strong public approval in El Salvador, largely due to a significant drop in homicide rates following the government's anti-gang measures.

El Salvador, once notorious for violence, now boasts one of the lowest homicide rates in the region.

Bukele capitalized on this popularity to secure reelection in February despite constitutional restrictions against consecutive presidential terms.

In April, Humanitarian Legal Relief reported that at least 241 individuals had died in El Salvador prisons since the onset of the government's crackdown, further highlighting ongoing concerns over human rights and due process.

Threats Against Price Gouging Spark Economic Controversy

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador recently issued stern warnings against price gouging, drawing parallels to his tough stance on street gangs.

Since 2022, Bukele's administration has detained tens of thousands of suspected gang members amid criticism of arbitrary arrests, Daily Mail noted.

In a recent speech, he likened his crackdown on price gougers to his past actions against gangs, threatening repercussions for wholesalers and distributors driving up food prices.

Bukele emphasized the seriousness of his warnings, demanding immediate price reductions.

Despite strong electoral support, he faces accusations of authoritarianism for controlling Congress and emergency powers.

Legal experts question the legality of imprisoning individuals solely for price inflation. However, Bukele hinted at pursuing charges like tax evasion.

The El Salvador government plans to establish 20 distribution points with regulated prices to ease economic hardships exacerbated by price hikes.

Nayib Bukele, known for his tough policies, has garnered domestic support for reducing gang violence but faces ongoing criticism over human rights and due process concerns amid his aggressive governance style.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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